Novato votes to switch to Marin Clean Energy

Novato will join the majority of cities and towns in Marin and begin buying its electricity from Marin Clean Energy instead of Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the City Council decided Tuesday.

The council voted unanimously to make the switch based on factors including a city staff report that estimated Marin Clean Energy would save the city roughly $9,000 annually compared with PG&E. The power will be used for city services such as traffic lights, municipal buildings, lighting and streetlights.

"Given the cost difference and the fact that there are environmental benefits, I support the motion," said Councilwoman Madeleine Kellner.

Not only the councilmembers but also all five members of the public who spoke at the meeting supported the decision.

"Not only is MCE the sustainable alternative, it is economically superior," said Marla Fields of Sustainable Novato.

"We urge you to join those of us in the community who have opted into MCE," said Susan Stompe of the Marin Conservation League.

The city considered switching in June 2012, but at that time it would have cost the city about $7,800 more annually, according to the staff report. The reason for the now-lower cost is that PG&E rates have gone up, the report said.

Marin Clean Energy gets about 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources, compared with 20 percent for PG&E. Every other city and town in Marin except Sausalito has already made the switch.

"We want to minimize (rate) fluctuation. Most of the power contracts we have entered into are for 20 years," said Dawn Weisz, the chief executive of Marin Energy Authority. Marin Clean Energy is a program of the authority.

Weisz was responding to a question from the council about how stable MCE's rates might be.

Making the change would reduce annual greenhouse gas for Novato by about 191,000 pounds — the equivalent of an annual reduction of 9,763 gallons of gas, or taking 18 cars off the road annually, according to the staff report.

The city would have the option of switching back to PG&E, though there would be a charge of $25 per account to do so. Novato has about 121 separate energy accounts for its various power needs, so the cost would be $3,025, the report said.

The Marin Energy Authority, which consists of the county of Marin, all 11 of Marin's municipalities and the city of Richmond, is the first successful attempt in California to launch a new, public model for providing electricity to residents.

It serves as the retail electricity provider for 92,000 customers, who continue to also pay PG&E for transmission and distribution of their electricity.